Sonoran Sky

The weather has always had the power to inspire, and that's certainly been true with music. Ian Schwartz welcomes in Rich Berra from The Johnjay & Rich Show to discuss their favorite weather-inspired tunes. Plus, Ian gives us his winding journey to becoming a meteorologist. 

Dave Hondula is the city of Phoenix Director of Heat Response. For more than a decade, he’s been trying to figure out how to keep people cool when summer temperatures soar in the Valley. Finally, last year, there was a hint of success as the death rate from heat drop slightly. But for Dave, it was only a start. Royal Norman and Pete Mangione talked with “The man who wants to cool Phoenix down.”

In a special Sonoran Sky and Extra Point crossover episode, Meteorologist April Warnecke and AZ Family Sports Director Mark McClune talk to legendary angler and TV host Johnny Johnson. They find out the wild road Johnny took to TV fame, his favorite spots to fish in Arizona, and how the weather impacts fishing. 

In this episode of the Sonoran Sky podcast, Royal Norman is joined by Dan Henz and Jonny Malloy from Maricopa County Flood Control to discuss the intricacies of Arizona's monsoon season. They talk about the unusual weather patterns, the impact of urban areas on weather, and how the monsoon season has evolved over the years...and the ways it hasn't. Both guests share their personal journeys into meteorology, influenced by memorable weather events, and highlight the wealth of data and resources available for tracking Arizona’s unique climate phenomenon. Tune in to gain insights into the science behind monsoons, the challenges in forecasting, the critical role of flood control in managing Arizona's weather risks, and why the expectation of a monsoon that produces more rain than the seasons of the past five years is rising.

For much of his young life, Paul sailed large boats in the Caribbean. He sailed to foreign countries and dozens of islands. And during one of those island stops, Paul came face to face with one of the strongest hurricanes of the last century. His survival story ignited his passion to make weather his career.

Royal Norman talks with Tom Frieders from the National Weather Service in Phoenix, who is an expert on hot weather. And as much as we don’t like it, we need to heat to help bring the monsoon into Arizona. But we need it in the right doses.

A view of the northern lights is always a treat in Arizona! Why is it hard to predict when there will be good views? Also, what is space junk and how is it tracked? Pete Mangione is joined by Katrina Bossert, an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's School Of Earth and Space Exploration, to discuss!

You don’t have to be a local to know our summer monsoon can create towering walls of dust that roll up and into the Valley. They are an obvious hazard to drivers, but now a new study, decades in the making, confirms these filthy monsters are hazardous to your health. This research focuses on dustorms in three states and tens of thousands of ER visits for those caught outside in the swirling clouds of dirt. Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin is joined by Dr. James Crooks to discuss the study and the danger to your health.

As Arizona's climate changes, so too does the monsoon. Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman and meteorologist Pete Mangione talk with Shel Winkley from Climate Central on how the state's extreme heat is impact our summer storm season.

Lovers of Arizona, join us under the Sonoran Sky starting on May 28! Each Wednesday, Arizona's Family First Alert Meteorologists will bring you in-depth and entertaining conversations on our state's weather, natural wonders, gardening, hiking, and outdoor activities. Your time under the Sonoran Sky will help you understand how the weather impacts your life.